On Saturday, August 28, 2010, thousands of people are expected to rally and march on behalf of the dream that the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. shared so eloquently 47 years ago on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Representatives of the Brady Campaign and Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence will be at the Reclaim the Dream rally at 11 a.m. at Dunbar High School in Northwest D.C., followed by a march to the site of the King Memorial along the Tidal Basin.
Our staff, supporters, and board members will listen to the inspirational words of every group that shares the podium with Rev. Al Sharpton -- the organizer -- and Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, Martin King, III, Bernice King, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Actor Danny Glover, and so many others.
We hope you'll join us.
As King told us that day, the roots of his dream are intertwined with the roots of the American dream -- a dream of justice, equality, freedom, and respect for people of all races, backgrounds, and religions.
The roots of King's dream were planted in the soil of non-violence. They were nurtured by the soothing rains of brotherhood. They withstood battering by the bitter winds of hatred and ignorance. And ultimately, those roots helped catapult King's dream closer to reality by the determination of his followers to, in his words, "hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."
These are not the best of times for racial harmony, or economic or social justice. These certainly are not the best of times for nonviolence. But the America of 2010 is a lot different from the America of 1963. Despite the challenge of slogging through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, life has improved for most Americans. Educational opportunities have expanded.
Despite a barrage of vitriol spewing from some talk show hosts and their followers, relationships between people of all races are not as divisive and caustic as they were some 50 years ago. With the vigilance and courage of conscientious civic, community, and political leaders, including gun violence prevention groups -- and the enactment of commonsense gun laws -- even violence in America has taken a dip.
But I am not satisfied with America's progress on any of these fronts. We can do better.
As Rev. Sharpton's National Action Network has pointed out, unemployment remains too high, particularly among African-Americans. So do high school drop-out rates. Women still face barriers in politics, employment, and other areas. Many Hispanics are the target of racially biased immigration policies that are ripping their families apart. Those who practice the Muslim faith are often regarded with unfounded suspicion and enmity. And when it comes to gun violence in America, we still are, shamefully and unnecessarily, burying thousands upon thousands too many men, women, and children of all races and backgrounds for any American to be satisfied.
Researchers at Harvard and UCLA recently released a study showing that U.S. homicide rates were 6.9 times higher than rates in the other high-income countries, driven by firearm homicide rates that were 19.5 times higher. For 15-year olds to 24-year olds, firearm homicide rates in the United States were 42.7 times higher than in the other countries.
When the equivalent of a Virginia Tech tragedy -- 32 murdered by guns -- happens every day in America, we cannot be satisfied that we are honoring the movement for peace and social justice that Dr. King so courageously led.
When the NRA bosses and others push for an America that allows guns for anyone, anywhere, and any time, we can't be satisfied that we are honoring Dr. King's dream.
Our vision at Brady is of an America where people are safe from gun violence -- safe at work, at home, and in their communities. We are proud to add our voice to the Reclaim the Dream rally for greater racial, economic, and social justice, and for a safer America.
Again, we hope you'll join us and continue the hard work of reclaiming a dream that is worthy of all Americans.
For more information, click here.
Paul Helmke is president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Follow the Brady Campaign on Facebook and Twitter.
John W. Whitehead: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Dream: Are We Killing It?
Glenn Beck's 8/28 Rally Does Not Honor My Father
on HuffingtonPost today.
My father championed free speech. He would be the first to say that those participating in Beck's rally have the right to express their views. But his dream rejected hateful rhetoric and all forms of bigotry or discrimination, whether directed at race, faith, nationality, sexual orientation or political beliefs. He envisioned a world where all people would recognize one another as sisters and brothers in the human family. Throughout his life he advocated compassion for the poor, nonviolence, respect for the dignity of all people and peace for humanity.
Read the whole story: Washington Post
"The gun industry and the National Rifle Association (NRA) don't want you to know that gun sales have stagnated for years, and their campaigns to legalize concealed carry and fight restrictions on the sales of highly lethal weapons are part of their strategy to boost stagnant gun sales".
With huge political contributions from the gun industry and the NRA, invested in political clout, has been very successful in legislating lax gun laws. The NRA fear-mongering campaign about government "confiscation" sold guns and ammo. The "self-defense" campaign against the bogeyman criminal sold guns. The millions spent on fear-mongering propaganda resulted in billions in profit for the gun industry.
The libertarian push in monopolistic crony capitalism to de-regulate business, fits all too well with the gun industry's propaganda to de-regulate guns rather than the Second Amendment's "well-regulated" right.
De-regulation is the corporatists' goal: it does not matter to them if it is environmentally unsound, if it is profit-making; or, with pharmaceuticals, if drugs are dangerous; or with guns, if they are lethal to our health and safety. De-regulation is god: it is so profitable. The corporations have a common goal; they have joined forces.
Monopolistic crony capitalists may think it is an advantage to have a segment of population, with right-wing sentiments, primed and armed. Guys with money might find guys with guns useful in the political arena: physical threat can be very intimidating.
Please, show us exactly where the Second says "well-regulated right".
Soros, ANdrea Soros Fund Management New York NY $50,000
SOROS, GEORGE Soros Fund Management New York NY $50,000
SOROS, JENNIFER Soros Fund Management New York NY $50,000
SOROS, JONATHAN Soros Fund Management New York NY $50,000
SOROS, ROBERT Soros Fund Management New York NY $50,000
527's in 2008 alone:
The Fund for America $3,500,000
America Votes 2006 $1,000,000
Young Democrats of America $250,000
EMILY's List Non-Federal $250,000
But DW believes he has little influence in US politicsand only 'rightwingers' put money into politics. .
She sure sounds like a right winger. Just goes to prove that both sides have their p.ara.noid co.nspir.acy nuts.
5. Local and federal laws would have to be adhered to and a new proficiency standard for any weapon be the sole new requirement.
Bingo! Any legitimate American Citizen that wants a gun gets a gun and Granny gets some skill at popping thugs.
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federal laws are already adhered to when you purchase a brand new gun....
i am all for the only requirement needed to carry my gun anywhere i want is a shooting proficiency test...
any legitimate citizen can already get a new gun...even people in chicago and d.c.....
4. After a suitable waiting period for all of that to get sorted out, put the remaining weapons up for sale at well advertised local public auctions with a rotating roster of licensed dealers conducting the sales and maintaining meticulous records and listing the federal government as the point of origin for the purpose of the tracking process.
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why would you go to a government auction when you can buy one at a yard sale or gun show without interference from the feds....and what makes you think you would get back the money you spent on doing all this from auctions like these....
3. Make certain that there are no ownership claims against any that may have been stolen from legitimate original owners (another reason for making the tracking list public) or their insurance companies or heirs.
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to what end...to return guns to their rightful owners thus adding to the 300,000,000 already in the hands of the public...
2. Cull out and destroy any weapons that are illegal unto themselves--full auto, sawed off shotguns and rifles, cannons, bazookas, surface to air missiles, etc. Return to the army any that were stolen therefrom. Exclude any truly collectible war souvenir but make certain that it is rendered inoperable.
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that leaves 300,000,000 guns in the hands of the citizenry....and full auto guns are not illegal in the u.s....a gun cannot be illegal unto itself anymore than a knife can be illegal unto itself....
Here is a suggestion for those that say it is not about profits but about 2nd Amendment rights.
1. Take every gun that has been confiscated by local and federal law enforcement because of its use in a crime of whatever nature and track it from manufacturer to final destination. Keep that info in a central data bank, updated and made public every 30 days.
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that leaves about 300,000,000 guns in the hands of american citizens....
The Second does not say "a well regulated right".
The Second does not say "well regulated arms".
The Second says "well regulated militia".
I also propose that what can be applied to one right can be applied to any other -- therefore, before you get to post on the internet, vote in an election, worship, or use a phone, you must pass a test.
*For the satirically challenged.....this is an example.....
So where does Beck fit into this "follow the money" bit?
How does this mosque affair fit into the Glenn Beck rally?
How are my sources of news threatened?